Fan



w. T. BARKER FAN Dec. 23, 1930.

Filed Feb. 1, 192

2 Sheets-Sheet 1 ATTORNEY FAN Filed Feb. 1 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 6 k H 0 f N T 0 M mm n M A %Y B H J I a r H m my. a.

Patented Dec. 23, 1930 WARD r. BARKER, or KANSAS CITY, MISSOURI FAN Application filed February 1, 1928. Serial No. 251,044.

My invention relates to fans and more particularly to fans for use in the recirculation of hot gases; the principal objects'of the invention being to provide a device of that character through which gases may be passed at extremelyhigh temperatures without injuriously afiecting the fan shaft bearings orfan structure, and which is adaptive for receiving gases from a plurality of inlets and discharging them from a single outlet as required in operation of certain types of furnaces for heating oil stills.

In accomplishing these and other objects of the invention 1 have provided improved details of structure, the preferred forms of wh ch are illustrated in the accompanying drawings, wherein: v

Fig. 1 is a perspective exterior view of a fan embodying my invention.

Fig. 2 is a plan View of the fanwith the cover portion of the housing removed;

Fig. 3 is a vertical section on the line of the fan shafti Fig. 4 is a central vertical section at a right angle to the fan shaft.

Referring in detail to the drawings:

1,. 2, 3 and 1 designate spaced to provide two outer tunnel-like passages 5 and 6, which may communicate with the working chamber ofa still furnace (not shown) and the single intermediate passage 7, which may communicate with the combustion chamber of the furnace when the fan is employed in the connection heretofore indicated.

8 designates a back wall and 9 a-front bean for supporting the fan structure and defining upwardly opening ports 10, 11 and'12, through which gases are delivered to and discharged from the fan, as presently described, a partition element 13 locating the outlet port 12 at the forward portion of the fan structure, as presently described.

Supported on, the inner foundation ele ments 3 and 4, the rear wall 8 and forward cross member 9, isa fan housing 14 covering the port 12 and preferably comprising a base member 15 and cover 16 semi-permanently connected by a bolted flange joint'l'? to render the housing substantially air-tight; the

foundation walls front wall of the base element being inclined and the cover member curved and continuing at its forward end into the forward'wall of the base member to deflect gases propelled by a contained fan through the housing and into the outlet port in a stream line. The side walls of the fan housing are cut away to provide lateral ports 18 and 19.

Supported on the outer foundation walls 1 and 2 and bolted, or otherwise secured,to

inclined to direct gases into the fan housing on stream lines. 1

Rising at the sides of the foundation walls 1 and '2 are pedestals 25 supporting shaftbearings 26 and journalled in said bearings and extending through the hoods 2O and fan housing 14, centrally of the housing openings 18 and 19 is a preferably hollow shaft 27, operable from any suitable source of power indicated by the belt wheel 28. Splined on the shaft 27 within the fan housing is an impeller fan 29 comprising a hub 30 fixed to the shaft by a set-screw 31, arms 32 fiXed to the hub, and blades 33 fixed to the outer ends of the arms and extending transversely within the fan housing immediately exterior to the area outlined by the housing openings 18 and 19. 3 designates rings attached to the ends of the blades 83 to provide a rigid, substantial fan unit.

The shaft 27 is preferably provided with reduced solid end or journal portions 35 whereby the channel 36 within the shaft is closed and limited; and also is provided with openings 37 adjacent one end and openings 38 adjacent the other end constituting fluid inlets and outlets respectively whereby fluid may be circulated through the shaft. The shaft extends rotatably through manifold elements 39 enclosing said openings and rigidly supported by lugs &0 from the pedestal in spaced position from the bearings, the ends of the hollow portions of the shaftsbeing rowalls in communication with the packing box through which suitable packing may be introduced to the boxes. Water under pressure may be introduced into one of the manifold elements to pass through the shaft openings for circulation through the shaft and outwardly through the opposite manifold,

Assuming that fan constr cted as described is mounted for use in connection with a furnace as heretofore mentioned and is illustrated in the drawings, when the fan is in operation it draws from each side of the 'housing through the inlet passages 5 and (i and forces the gases through the outlet passage T, so that the gases may be recirculated through the furnace in connection with which the fan is employed, and that even though the gases are heated to high temperatures the shaft bearings are unaffected by the heat and may be properly lubricated because of their location exteriorly of the fan enclosure and out of the flow of gases.

Much of the heat received by the shaft from the gas is removed from the shaft by the water circulating therethrough, the position of the manifolds between the fan housing and the bearings removing heat before it reaches the bearings and, therefore, limiting tne conduction of heat by the shaft and further protecting the bearings. Adverse effects of excessive heat on the shaft itself are ale prevented by the circulating water removing ieat therefrom but not sufficient reduction of temperature is effected by he water to appreciably modify the temperature of gases passing through the housing.

The packing boxes on opposite sides of the manifold elements provide for lubricating the joint between the elements and the shaft.

By separating the fan housing and hoods as described, the cover elements may be easily removed and replaced for installation and repair of the fan, and by providing the how ing and hood elements with the stream lines, easy flow of gases is provided.

The device may, of course, be positioned reversely to the arrangement shown, and may be adapted to direct air forwardly or in any desired direction from the fan or the source of heated gases.

What I claim and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

l. A fan of the character described ineluding a housing having side intake and peripheral discharge ports, hoods at the sides of the housing for directing flow to said in take ports, bearings exterior to and spaced from said hoods, a hollow shaft journalled in said bearings and projected through the hoods and housing, and having ports between the hoods and bearings, a fa 1 on said shaft within the housing, and manifolds on the ported portions of said shaft for effecting circulation of cooling medium through the s raft.

2. In a device of the character described, bearing elements, a hollow shaft journaled therein having inlet and outlet openings, manifolds having chambers communicating with the openings sleeved on the shaft an d in fixed relation with the bearing elements, said manifolds comprising castings having flanged cylindrical walls,. and packing-retai ing plates fixed to-said flanges, the shaft eirtending rotatably through said manifolds and said plates.

3. In a device of the character described; spaced shaft bearings, means supporting the bearings, a shaft having imperforate portions journaled in said bearings anda hollow portion provided withinlet andoutlet openings, and fluid supply means con'iprising ma ifolds supported by the bearing-supporting means, the shaft extending through the manifolds, and the manifolds being proed with chambers communicating with said shaft openings and having packingretaining. means.

l. In a dcviceof the character described, bearing supports, shaft bearing elements, a shaft having reduced journal ends and an intermediate hollow portion providing a channel, the ends of the hollow portion journaled with the reduced ends in the bearing elements. the shaft having inlets and outlets for the channel, chamber members supported by the bearing supports and sleeved on the shaft in spaced position from the ends of the channel having chambers communicating through the openingswith the channel, and means for sea ing the joint between the members and the shaft.

In combination with spaced foundation walls forming inner and outer conduits, a fan housing havi a peripheral port connecting with the ier conduit and having side ports. hoods at thes des of the housing over the outer conduits directing flow from said outer conduits to said side ports, bearings exterior to and spaced from the hoods, a. hollow shaft extended through the hoods and housing having solid ends journalled in said bearings, and means between the hoods and bearings for effecting circulation of a cooling medium through the shaft.

In testimony whereofI affix my signature.

WARD T. BARKER. 

